James Mattis urged Trump to seek congressional vote for US airstrikes in Syria but was overruled 'because president wanted to be seen acting on his tweets'

US defence secretary James Mattis reportedly urged Donald Trump to seek congressional approval for airstrikes on Syria but was overruled by the president, who wanted to be seen as backing up his bellicose tweets with action. Mr Mattis warned an overly aggressive response to an alleged chemical attack in Douma risked igniting wider conflict with Russia and stressed the importance of public support for military campaigns, government officials told the New York Times.